Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Mesmerizing journey to Buddhist pilgrimage

Duration : 17 Nights/16 Days

Destinations covered : New Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Patna - Lumbini - Lucknow - New Delhi

Day 1 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
New Delhi
On reaching the New Delhi airport, you would be graciously received by Holiday Points staff and escorted to check in at the pre-booked hotel. Post lunch, head towards the local sightseeing of Delhi both Old and New. Starting from old Delhi, explore old Delhi first starting from Bahai temple famously known as Lotus temple, then proceed to Qutub Minar advancing to India Gate, Birla temple, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Red fort and the well renowned shopping area Chandani Chowk and the well illuminated Connaught Place. 

Day 2 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
New Delhi
Post breakfast Move out for sightseeing tour of Jama Masjid, Humayun's tomb, Raj Ghat, the famous botanical garden and zoo. In the evening shop in and around the famous malls and shopping complexes in Delhi. Stay overnight at the hotel and rest.

Day 3 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Agra
After the breakfast have a leisure drive straight to Agra. On reaching there, check-in at your hotel and move out to see the famous Agra fort and the magnificent embodiment of Taj Mahal one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD during sunset and enjoy the evening light and sound show in the evening. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 4 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Gwalior
In the morning after having breakfast, move ahead to Gwalior and on arrival over there check-in at your pre-booked hotel. After the brief leisure time proceed for the sightseeing of this grand majestic City. The sightseeing includes the visit to the huge Gwalior fort situated on a high hill, Sas Bahu Ka Mandir, Jai Vilas Palace, Moti Mahal, Mansingh Palace and the museum.

Day 5 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Khajuraho
With tummy full with yummy breakfast, proceed further for full day sightseeing of Eastern and Southern group of Khajuraho temples built in by Chandelas dynasty which survived for five centuries before falling to the attack of Islam and also have a glimpse of the various erotic sculpture carved over the temples. Spend the evening by joining Khajuraho festival at the temples.

Day 6 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Khajuraho
Enjoy the morning at leisure and post lunch proceed for half day sightseeing of western group of Khajuraho temples which includes Kandaryia Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini, Chitragupta temple, Vishwanath Temple and Matengeswara Temple. In the evening enjoy illuminated temples with the cultural folk lore. Stay overnight at the hotel and relax. 

Day 7 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Khajuraho
With the dawn of a new day move out for the sightseeing of wonderful temples of Khajuraho. The erotic temples of Khajuraho show the other aspect of Indian Spirituality. Another aspect of Indian architecture would come to the forefront with the visit to the western, eastern and southern group of temples.

Day 8 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Varanasi
Leave in the morning for Varanasi, the oldest city in the world to witness Hinduism and its spirituality in the most authentic and amazing ways. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Post lunch, move out for a boat ride and witness the grand arti on the banks of the river Ganges.

Day 9 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Varanasi
After breakfast get ready to head towards Sarnath (also Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, and Isipatana), 13 kms from Varanasi to visit the famous deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Isipatana is mentioned by the Buddha as one of the four places of Buddhist pilgrimage in India which his devoted followers should visit, if they wanted to visit a place for that reason. Mrigadava means "deer-park". Isipatana is the name used in the Pali Canon, and means the place where holy men fell on earth. Stay overnight at the hotel in Varanasi.

Day 10 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Varanasi - Bodhgaya
In the morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed towards Bodhgaya and check in at the hotel. Bodhgaya is the place of Buddha's Enlightenment and is the spiritual home of Buddhists. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers since Buddha attained his enlightenment at this place under the Bodhi tree. Later proceed to visit the famous Mahabodhi Temple, Niranjana River, and Sujata village.

Day 11 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Bodhgaya
In the morning check out from the hotel and drive to Nalanda & Rajgir via Patna. Rajgir or Rajagriha as it was known in the past is surrounded by the twisty river Banganga and 5 hills. Gautam Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Griddhkuta, (‘Hill of the Vultures‘) in Rajgir. He also delivered some of his famous sermons over here. Then we head towards Nalanda, one of the world’s first residential universities which had dormitories for students. Drive back to Patna and stay overnight there. 

Day 12 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Patna - Kushinagar
Have breakfast and check out from the hotel to head towards Vaishali. famous Ashok pillar, built by Emperor Ashoka is in Vaishali. Later move towards Kushinagar. Upon arrival to Kushinagar, check in at the pre booked hotel. In the evening participate in a chanting and meditation sessions.

Day 13 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Kushinagar - Lumbini
In the morning post breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed towards the sightseeing of Kushinagar to visit Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa, and Mata Kutir Temple etc. Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana (or Final Nirvana) after falling ill from eating a meal of a species of mushroom at this place only. In the afternoon post lunch head towards Lumbini, a Buddhist pilgrimage tour site located in Rupandehi District, Lumbini Zone of Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha. Lumbini has various Buddhist temples including the Mayadevi temple. There is also the Puskarini pond and remains of Kapilvastu palace. At Lumbini after local sightseeing check in at hotel.

Day 14 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Lumbini - Sravasti
Check out from the hotel post breakfast to go for sightseeing tour of Shravasti - the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, famous for giving shelter to Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. In Sravasti, visit Saheth - Maheth & Jetvan. Stay overnight at the pre booked hotel in Shravasti.

Day 15 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Lucknow
Post breakfast in the morning check out from hotel & march ahead towards the city of Nawabs - Lucknow. Upon arrival to Lucknow visit Bada Imambada built by Nawab Asaf Ud Daula, Chhota Imambada and the famous Lucknow Museum. After lunch proceed for the railway station to board Shatabadi Express for Delhi. On reaching Delhi, check in at pre booked hotel for overnight stay. 

Day 16 of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Lucknow - Delhi
In the morning post breakfast check out from the hotel and head back to Delhi with a memories full of this wonderful and exciting long trip and also keep the spirituality in heart alive.